No troops ever showed greater courage as they returned after every repulse to the hopeless charge.
At last they could go forward no longer.

They had not made the slightest impression upon Marye's Hill and the slopes were strewn with many thousands of their dead and wounded, including officers of all ranks, from generals down.

The Union army was now divided into two portions, each in the face of an insuperable task.
But Burnside, burning with chagrin, was unwilling to draw off his army.
The reserve troops, left on the other side of the river, were sent across, and Fighting Joe Hooker was ordered to lead them to a new attack.

Hooker, talking with Hancock, saw that it merely meant another slaughter, and sent such word to his commander-in-chief.

But Burnside would not be moved from his purpose.